Military unease claimed at Govt's handling of Afghanistan

Disquiet is being reported in the New Zealand military about the way the Government is handling the situation in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister John Key announced on Thursday that four SAS logistics officers have been sent to Afghanistan to gather intelligence about the insurgents responsible for the death of five New Zealand soldiers in Bamyan province in August.

Radio New Zealand's correspondent in Kabul, Jon Stephenson, says the reason for that is unclear when the mastermind of the attack is believed to have already fled to Pakistan.

Mr Stephenson says some in the military feel the Government is not reading the situation well.

"What I have heard through New Zealand sources is that people in the New Zealand military are very unhappy with the way the Government has handled the events post the tragedies at Bamyan."